For those who like to travel to their festivals by train, the Steamhouse at Urmston station (6 miles from Manchester on the Warrington line) is holding its first fest next weekend, Thursday to Sunday, 4th to 7th December.
Their publicity says "up to ten real local ales + beers from belgium,germany and other parts of europe - mulled wine - hog roast and other food available - music". 4 of the beers will be on handpump in the main bar, the others will be in a marquee outside.
The regular beers tend to be from Hyde's, Dunham Massey and Bazens, but they will be casting the net a little further afield for the festival.
-- Pat Ricroft, City of Salford, UK ===============================